#PCBW2014

We’re in the throes of the third Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week.  I’m at a loss for what to say about it that I didn’t say last year, across a few posts (you can dig through the archives, I’d say they still apply).  That’s not to say that I’m not excited about it – there’s a kind of magic in the air & on-line.  The buzz & anticipation is palpable, seeing the events roll out & the collaborations planned.  But I feel obligated to make some sort of commentary, & just don’t have anything new to bring to the table.  I don’t think anyone in the publicity around it has much new to say either, really, but who’s going to complain about more of the same awesomeness.  We didn’t bend over backwards trying to whip up novel events, instead sticking with/improving upon ones that we’re proud of.  The Sour & the Funky was this past Saturday – we love doing this & think we upped the ante for ourselves again this year.  It was cool joining forces with some fellow beer entities on this event, with James of Stellmacher Brewing pouring & talking up his craft.  Matt from Hop Farm Brewing & Brian from Box Office Brew Review were on hand to speak to Margot, the collaboration that had its official sneak preview at The House on Saturday (though I understand a certain Mexican pizzeria jumped the line, against the creators’ wishes – such is competition, I guess).  We’ve got Voodoo in The House this coming Saturday, with some amazing Barrel Room offerings.  When we hosted Voodoo last year they seemed to be beginning their ascent with the barrel-aged brews, & a year later they’re definitely killing it, so we see nothing wrong with reprising a kick-ass tap takeover.  Between then & now, we’re featuring the beers of twin gypsies Mikkeller & Evil Twin at our “April” Top Shelf Thursday.  You can check out our calendar for details.  Maybe next year we’ll roll out some new stuff, but right now we’re pretty happy dialing in some classics.  Three words for what I’d like to have in the hopper: beer scavenger hunt…

Plenty of other venues, many of whom we’re friends with (Beer Express, Allegheny 6-Pack, Mad Mex, Sidelines, to name a few), are throwing some really great happenings – I’m bummed that I missed out on the Lagunitas/Lebowski party at Arsenal Lanes last night, but such is PCBW.  The official release of Margot, in waxed bottles, is this Thursday.  PCBW’s signature events are always super-attractive, if you can get in.  One thing I definitely don’t want to sleep on is extending our gratitude & appreciation to the organizing bodies, the tireless & passionate Pittsburgh Craft Beer Alliance.  Big up to Lee, Brian, Chris, Colleen, Andy, & the many, many others who work behind the scenes to establish a repeatedly successful week, three years & going strong.  We’re happy to know you lot, & that there are good people behind the effort, whose hearts & minds are in the right place.  Thanks to the brewers for putting together well-crafted & inventive collaboration brews – we’ve still got three on tap as I write this.  And most of all, thanks to the fans – we, & they, couldn’t do this without you.  I’m aware of how clichéd & disingenuous that sounds, & it’s easy to say without feeling, but there are times when it hits home how much people’s enthusiasm & enjoyment really mean to me.  Saturday, as the sour-fest was winding down, seeing how genuinely happy people were was touching.  As much as the headaches of dealing with crazy releases & unrelenting demand can be, as much as I feel carried by my own obsessions & compulsives in this business, moments like that bring it back home, keep me grounded & just seem to imbue all with good vibes.  That’s really what it’s all about.  I guess I had more to say than I thought.  Thanks, all, & enjoy Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week.